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Safe Storage and Disposal of Opioids and Other Medications

Be a Part of the Solution!

Why is it important to safely store your medications and dispose of unwanted or unused drugs?

  • Young children and pets accidentally ingest medications found around the home, leading to potential poisoning.

  • Teenagers and young adults are abusing medications—some taken right from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinet.

  • Nearly 1 in 4 teens report taking a prescription drug not prescribed to them by a doctor.

  • Seniors can mistakenly take incompatible medication or take expired drugs that may be harmful to them.

You can be a part of the solution.

LOCK UP your medications.

Keep medications out of sight in a safe, secure place.

MONITOR your medication.

Keep track of medication and take only as directed.

DISPOSE of unused medications.

Scroll down for more information on disposal options and local medication disposal locations. For more information on convenient disposal locations, visit:

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

1. Check the Package
If there are specific instructions for disposal on the label, package, or package insert, please follow those instructions. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so.

2. Convenient Kiosks
To find convenient kiosks for safe disposal of medications in your area, consult our list, or visit www.med-project.org for more information.

3. Mail-Back
Mail-back services are available in your area. Visit the mail-back section of www.med-project.org to order a mail-back package.

4. In-Home Disposal
Remove medication from its original container and mix with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container and throw in your household trash.

5. Dispose of needles safely.
Do not recycle needles or throw them in the trash or toilet. For local guidance on sharps disposal in California and to locate container disposal options near you, visit: safeneedledisposal.org.

Visit med-project.org to find a safe disposal location near you.

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

1. Check the Package
If there are specific instructions for disposal on the label, package, or package insert, please follow those instructions. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless specifically instructed to do so.

2. Convenient Kiosks
To find convenient kiosks for safe disposal of medications in your area, consult our list, or visit www.med-project.org for more information.

3. Mail-Back
Mail-back services are available in your area. Visit the mail-back section of www.med-project.org to order a mail-back package.

4. In-Home Disposal
Remove medication from its original container and mix with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or kitty litter. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container and throw in your household trash.

5. Dispose of needles safely.
Do not recycle needles or throw them in the trash or toilet. For local guidance on sharps disposal in California and to locate container disposal options near you, visit: safeneedledisposal.org.

For safe disposal locations near you, visit